Serious Cell Phone Phobia

 A while back, my husband told me about a study proving that using an earpiece reduced the risk of getting a brain tumor.
To which I asked, "Reduces it from what?"
"From risks involved with using a cell phone," he expounded.
At this point, I stopped in mid-step, put down my laundry basket, looked him in the eyes, and very intelligently responded, "Huh?"
My very patient husband then explained how studies have been conducted to test the long term risks of using cell phones. Apparently, one of the risks is brain tumors.
"In fact," he said, cheerfully wrapping up his pep talk, "Radio towers are built with fences around them because if a deer walks too close to the tower, it gets microwaved - cooked. And, since cell phones are basically tiny, miniature versions of a radio or cell tower, there are similar, albeit smaller scale, versions of the same risks."
By this point, I am ready to flush my cell phone down the toilet, and obviously the look on my face expressed that sentiment because my husband said. "You mean, you hadn't heard any of this before?"
I then launched into a panicked tirade about how in the world did cell phones become legal for use if this research was out there!? How much can a person use a cell phone before the tumor begins to grow? How can they be sure the earpiece helps? I wear that phone in my pocket all freakin' day! Am I going to get ovarian cancer because of that?
When I finally calmed down enough to hear my husbands voice over my hyperventilations, I realized all he could say to comfort me was, "I don't know." So helpful.
As my pulse slowed a bit, I began to think to myself, "Okay, in case this is all true, I will be sure to use an earpiece. If an earpiece isn't handy, I'll put it on speakerphone. Okay. I'll be okay."
I can't help but wonder, though, let's say I'm a good girl and use the earbud every time I talk on the phone. I put the earpiece in; then put the phone in my back pocket.
Does this mean I run the risk of developing ass cancer? As if my butt isn't big enough already, it's got to grow a tumor, too.

Coyotes

I'm reading a book called The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton. I really like it. It reminds me of where I live now, my childhood, and all the daydreams I have of rugged mountains and rolling plains. Oh, and it satisfies my coyote infatuation. I really like coyotes.

Coyotes are not as romanticized as wolves, but in some ways I think they are even cooler than wolves. For instance, instead of becoming endangered when over-hunted, they actually increase in number! They have adapted to living within the human world with very little difficulty and are often seen hanging out in suburbs and even cities.

I can remember waking up in the middle of the night when I was a kid to hear the raucous yipping and howling of a pack of coyotes that lived on our land. They would come down the bluff from the woods to drink from the pond behind our barn. It always sounded like they were throwing a big coyote party. They were laughing and shouting and having a big time. Instead of being afraid, I was entranced. They just sounded so happy to me, like they would be a lot of fun to hang out with. I could even hear the high yips and barks of the pups which was too cute for words. Then I would fall back asleep to dream that hundreds of coyotes were surrounding our house. The dream was a little creepy.

Tree Issues

Time to take down the Christmas tree.

I don't know why I'm like this. Every year, I want my Christmas tree up as soon as possible, like the day after Halloween. Seriously. I am all about two solid months of Christmas lights, ornaments, holiday glow, and anticipation. Then about 2 days after Christmas, I'm done. Over. It. Take that damn thing down! It's cluttering the living room!

This year, I lasted all the way up to yesterday. I started feeling a little pressure yesterday morning, like; "Okay, time to get out the Christmas storage boxes and put the decorations away." This morning, it was more like, "WHERE ARE THE BOXES?" Now, this afternoon, everytime I look at the tree I feel like a dead pet is staring back at me. The tree's got to go!

Can anyone guess what I will be doing when I'm done writing this post?

Open Windows

I know something as mundane as the weather should not be so exciting to me. But. . .

OMG! I can't get over this Big Sur weather! We just started the new year, winter is still in full force, and yet I played ball with my kids outside in the warm sunshine yesterday! We even had a picnic lunch for goodness sake!

I spoke with a friend back east. She happened to be outside when I called. She was scrambling to get inside out of the cold while I was walking around my house opening windows. I felt a little guilty. . . but I was still smiling.

Happy Caffeine! I mean, New Year!

Yay me! I am starting this New Year off right! I just spent God knows how long reorganizing our filing system for last year and setting up a system for this year. See! Aren't you proud of me?

Before that I sent a check to a charity I really like, including some money my son wanted to give. I had put this little task off for months. So, I'm happy to finally complete this task.

Next I'm going to feed my poor, hungry children and then clean this pig sty of a house.

My productivity streak is solely due to the power of caffeine. I loaded up the coffee pot this morning with what I thought was the decaf coffee I have every morning. After about an hour of hyperactive cleaning and frenzied organizing (accompanied by a serious case of the shakes), I realized my mistake. Aside from mistyyyyping every othther letterrr, I'm doing greate!

Shout out loud with me now:

WOOHOO! CAFFEINE!

Now laugh maniacally, and you've got the idea.

South coast Hwy 1